Times are unpredictable. The world seems to be moving towards unprecedented changes in lifestyles and work environment. It is imperative that we apply the safest, simplest yet the most advanced measures and tools to ease the transition towards digital transformation in all walks of life.
- Take for instance the apps and gadgets that are already making our lives easier.
- Wearable gadgets are monitoring our health, diet and fitness requirements and progress.
- Online/virtual classrooms for students are gaining widespread adoption.
- Smart home assistants are learning our routines and easing the pressure of daily chores.
Security and community management for your gated society can be as simple as a click on an app too. Not just in terms of something as common as daily operational activities like staff attendance and tech-based gatekeeping, but also more complex tasks like customised invoicing and advanced accounting. Let’s see how.
1. From Traditional to Modernized Gatekeeping
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Are your security guards still operating the gate with a physical register? Scratch that system. There is no particular need to invest in expensive access control systems or RFID gate security system either (although they are great options).
The smart choice is to get a subscription to an intelligent society management app that is designed to digitise gate security. The resident sends a one time password to the visitor which is verified by the guard at the gate on his version of the app. Frequent visitors like vendors and domestic staff get unique passcodes for daily entry and exit.
The entire system works on instant alerts and easy interface. Additional features include panic alert for emergency situations, child security protocols, visitor overstay alert, flawless move-in/move-out workflows at the gate for tenants, and automatic processing of visitor notification followed by offline IVR Calls.
2. Amenities/Complaint and Parking Management
Residents no longer need to rely on the usual ‘first come first serve’ system when it comes to using amenities like gym, pool or clubhouse. It results in overuse of facilities and unfair allocation to a select few residents who use the facilities more than the others.
The simplest way around this situation is to create an amenities booking calendar which is transparent and easy to use. All the residents have to do is check which slot is available in what day and time and book it. While you can publish it on Instant Messaging Apps you currently use in your society, the easier way would be to use an end to end community management app like MyGate that offers this feature.
Complaints (about broken plumbing, lights, lift malfunction, etc.) can be resolved better and faster through the unique ticket raising option on the app as well instead of residents calling guards, admin or facilities manager on the intercom and complaints piling up endlessly.
Other methods like typing the complaint on group chat or personally calling the MC is also not a solid approach.
Streamlining complaints in society management apps is as easy as
- Registering the complaint
- Tracking the status in-app
- Reraising the ticket if the solution is unsatisfactory
Parking irregularities like residents occupying the wrong spot or lack of space for visitor parking mismanagement cause trouble for the guards on a regular basis.
Keep it simple. Assign visitor parking in advance and let the app manage the rest, like updating the guard about vacant spots automatically.
4. Financial Management
For the managing committee members, there is the complex added responsibility of managing the finances, maintenance bills, revenues and expenses of the society which is indeed a task that seems mind numbingly tedious and dragged out if you take the scenic route. Instead, take a short cut and let a customised tool do the heavy lifting for you.
Society financial planning apps can automate all of the above processes and make it simple as 1-2-3.
Just configure the system to apply flat rates or hybrid rates of maintenance for different flats and towers, set auto reminders to send out via app-generated text/email, and receive online payments, intimation and auto reconciliation of all dues.
Additionally, get the feature of complete GST Control integrated with itemised billing, the ability to generate collection and defaulters reports with date/duration/amount details and the diverse options to charge fines percentage or flat rate wise to the defaulters. You can even track monthly payments to staff and vendors and create a transparent workflow for payment approvals for purchasing any services through an external vendor via a special admin dashboard.
Intelligent society enterprise resource planning apps are the simplest way to manage Covid-19 related protocols as you can remotely track guard attendance (through facial recognition technology), and be alerted to the entry/exit of the domestic help movement in the premises, publishing quarantined apartments or containment zones and other vital group communication and notices through an online noticeboard.
Suffice to say that there is practically no society management issue that can’t be simplified through an intelligent app-based technology, which is safe, affordable and completely automated.